• January 4, 2010

Nearly four in 10 (37%) smartphone owners have bought something not mobile-related over their devices in the last six months, according to the third-quarter smartphone intelligence report from Web analytics firm Compete. The study found that 14% have purchased books, DVDs or video games, and 12% have bought movie tickets.

Despite forecasting "explosive growth" for mobile commerce this year, Compete acknowledged that poor mobile sites still discourage many from buying things via handsets. The report said 8% of those surveyed who tried purchase a product on their mobile device could not do so, mainly because the site wouldn't load.

Most smartphone owners also indicated that the most they would be willing to spend on a single item via their devices is less than $10.

The Compete study found that product research is the most popular mobile shopping related activity, with just over 40% of iPhone and Android users most likely to check sale prices at other locations while they're shopping. Reading consumer reviews is the next most common activity, with 39% of iPhone owners and 31% of Android users consulting reviews before making a purchase. --Mark Walsh